Vegetable peeler with pivoting head

ABSTRACT

An improved peeler or scraper is disclosed with a pivoting head that can be pivoted between a longitudinal position where the cutting or scrapping blade is in general alignment with the handle to a transverse position where the cutting blade is disposed perpendicular to the handle or in a “T” configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/493,553, filed Aug. 8, 2003,the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

An improved vegetable peeler is disclosed. More specifically, avegetable peeler with a pivoting head is disclosed which enables thehead to be positioned parallel to and in general alignment with thehandle and at least one alternative position, such as at a 90° anglewith respect to the handle.

2 Description of the Related Art

Vegetable peelers are generally available in two generalconfigurations—either in general alignment with or parallel to thehandle or disposed at a right angle or a 90° perpendicular angle to thehandle. Thus, conventional peelers are configured so that the blade isoriented in the long direction or as an extension of the handle or in a“T” configuration with the blade cutting surface perpendicular to thehandle.

Thus, if a consumer desires to have vegetable peelers with the bladeoriented parallel or longitudinal with respect to the handle andperpendicular or in a “T” configuration with respect to the handle, theconsumer must buy two separate peelers. Individual consumers tend tohave uses for both types of peelers.

Accordingly, there is a need for a single peeler which could provideboth configurations. Such a peeler would eliminate the need for aconsumer to purchase and store two different peelers and eliminate theneed for using two different peelers in a single cooking operation.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In satisfaction of the aforenoted needs, an improved vegetable peeler,peeling mechanism or scrapping mechanism is shown and described. Thedisclosed embodiments are not applicable not only to vegetable peelersbut peelers with other intended uses or devices where it is desirable toutilize the device with a cutting, peeling or scrapping blade in atleast two different positions with respect to the handle.

In an embodiment, a peeler is disclosed which comprises a handlepivotally connected to a head. The head at least one peeling orscrapping blade. The peeler further comprises a lock mechanism toreleasably secure the head in one of at least two positions with respectto the handle. The head is movable between the at least two positions byreleasing the lock mechanism and rotating the head.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least two positions of the headinclude a first position where the blade is parallel to the handle and asecond position where the blade is generally perpendicular to thehandle.

In a refinement, the lock mechanism comprises a detent in at least tworecesses for receiving the detent when the head is in one of the leasttwo rotatable positions. Preferably, the lock mechanism further includesa spring for releasably biasing the detent in the one of the recesses,depending upon the position in which the head is in.

The detent may be disposed in the head or in the handle and,consequently, the recess or recesses may also be disposed in the handleor the head, respectively. Preferably, if the recesses are disposed inthe handle, the detent or detents are disposed in the head and viceversa.

In a refinement, the lock mechanism comprises an opening extendingthrough a distal end of the handle. The opening having an upper end anda lower end. The upper end of the opening receiving a button and a lowerend of the opening receiving a fastener that connects the head to thebutton. The lower end of the opening preferably extending through ashaped recess formed in a handle. The head further comprises a shouldermateably received in the shaped recess wherein the downward pressure onthe button releases the shoulder from the shaped recess thereby enablingrotation of the head from one of the positions to another of thepositions where the shoulder is again received in the recess toreleasably lock the head in the one of the positions.

In a further refinement of this concept, the button is biased towardsthe upper end of the opening so that the shoulder of the head is biasedtowards the shaped recess.

In another refinement of this concept, the button comprises a lower endcomprising a cylindrical shaft that is connected to the fastener. Theshaft extends through a spring that is trapped between an underside ofthe button and a handle for biasing the shoulder of the head towards theshaped recess.

In another refinement, the head comprises an arched frame with opposingends with the peeling or scrapping blade being connected to andextending between the opposing ends of the arched frame.

In another refinement, the cylindrical shaft of the button comprises anaxial threaded opening and the fastener is a threaded fastener that isthreadably received in the threaded opening to connect the head to thebutton.

In another refinement, handle is connected to a connecting element that,in turn, is connected to the head. The connecting element includes a topsurface having an upper recess therein for receiving a button and anunderside that faces the head. The head comprises a frame that isconnected to the blade. Either the frame of the head or the underside ofthe connecting element comprising a shaped recess and the other of theframe or the underside of the connecting element comprising the shoulderfor being mateably received within the shaped recess so that downwardpressure on the button release of the shoulders of the shaped recessthereby enabling rotation of the head from one of the positions toanother of the positions.

In a refinement, instead of a single shaped recess for permittinglocation of the head in two or more different positions, a plurality ofdifferent recesses may be used for receiving one or more detents. Again,the recesses may be disposed in the underside of the handle, anunderside of the connecting element or on an upper portion of the frameof the head and the detent or detents may be disposed along an upperportion of the frame of the head or along an underside of the handle orconnecting element.

In a refinement, the shaped recess is rectangularly shaped with twopairs of opposing corners and the detent mechanism comprises two pairsof opposing shoulders that are received in the pairs of opposing cornersof the shaped recess thereby permitting the head to be rotated between aposition parallel to the handle or position generally perpendicular tothe handle.

The releasably locking mechanism for securing head in two or morepositions with respect to the handle may include a spring-biased pin,pawl, finger, latch or similar elements that may be releasably receivedin a recess, slot or channel. A ratchet mechanism may also be used torotatably connect the head to the handle.

The head may be connected to the button in a variety of means includinga threaded fastener such as a screw or bolt or other more rigidconnection.

The disclosed design, in addition to being particularly adaptable tovegetable peelers, would also be useful as a paint scraper. Of course, adifferent blade would be utilized for a paint scraper than for avegetable peeler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed embodiments are illustrated more or less diagrammaticallyin the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side and partial sectional view of a disclosed vegetablepeeler;

FIG. 2 is another side and partial sectional view of the vegetablepeeler disclosed in FIG. 1, illustrating the head in a depressedposition prior to rotating the head to a different orientation withrespect to the handle;

FIG. 3 is a partial bottom plan view of the handle portion of the peelerillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, particularly illustrating the recess inwhich the head of the peeler pivots;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the peeler shown in FIGS. 1-3, with thehead in a position aligned with the handle;

FIG. 5 is a side plan view of the peeler as shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the peeler as shown in FIGS. 4-5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the peeler with the head being pivotedbetween the position shown in FIGS. 4-6 and the position shown in FIG.8;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the peeler as shown in FIGS. 1-7, with thehead pivoted to a position where the blade is perpendicular to thehandle;

FIG. 9 is a side and partial sectional view of an alternative embodimentof a vegetable peeler; and

FIG. 10 is another side and partial sectional view of the vegetablepeeler disclosed in FIG. 9, illustrating the head in a depressedposition prior to rotating the head to a different orientation withrespect to the handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning to FIG. 1, an improved vegetable peeler 10 is illustrated. Thepeeler 10 includes a handle 11 and a head 12. The handle 11 includes agrip portion 13 which may optionally include a plurality of transverseribs shown at 14 for improved gripping action. The handle portion 11 mayalso include or be separately connected to a connecting element 15which, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-2, includes a shaped shaft 16that is received within the complimentary shaped hole 17 in the handleportion 11. Other attachment mechanisms between the handle 11 andconnecting element 15 will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The connecting element 15 includes a recess 18 disposed in a top surface19 thereof. The recess 18 accommodates a push button 21. A spring orbiasing member 22 is trapped between an underside 23 of the push button21 and a bottom surface 24 of the recess 18. The spring biases the pushbutton 21 in the upward position as shown in FIG. 1.

The push button 21 is connected to the peeler head 12 by way of thescrew shown at 25. Specifically, the underside 23 of the push button 21is connected to a cylindrical shaft 26 which includes a threaded hole 27for threadably receiving the screw 25.

The peeler head includes an arched frame 28 which is integrallyconnected to a cylindrical shaft 26. The cylindrical shaft 26 alsoincludes an opening or hole 31 for receiving the screw 25, and a portionof the opening 31 may be threaded as shown in FIG. 1 for purposes ofsecuring the head 12 to the push button 21. To prevent food and liquidfrom engaging the screw 25 and possibly causing corrosion, a plug 32 maybe employed as a barrier. The arched frame 28 is connected to the blade33 in a conventional manner. The underside 34 of the connecting element15 or handle 11 (if a unitary construction is used) also includes ashaped recess 35 which is also illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The shapedrecess 35 receives the shoulders 36 that extend upward from the archedframe 28 of the head 12.

Referring to FIGS. 2-3, to pivot the head 12 with respect to the handle11, the consumer pushes the button 21 down in the direction of the arrow40, thereby compressing the spring 22 and moving the shoulders 36 out ofthe shaped recess 35. Then, by applying a twisting force on the button23 or simply grasping the arched frame 28 and twisting, the head 12 canbe rotated in 90° increments thereby moving the head to a transverseposition as shown in FIG. 8. A pair of shoulders shaped like theshoulders 36 shown in FIGS. 1-2 are also provided in the frame 28 or a90° orientation with respect to the shoulders 36. One of the shouldersis shown in phantom at 38 in FIGS. 1-2.

Thus, to pivot the head 12, the push button 21 is pushed downward in thedirection of the arrow 40 (see FIG. 2), thereby releasing the shoulders36 from the shaped recess 35 (see FIGS. 2-3). Then, the head 12 isrotated by way of the button 21 or arched frame 28 until the shoulders38 are in alignment with a corresponding pair of corners of the shapedrecess 35 thereby moving the head 12 to the transverse position shown inFIG. 8. More specifically, referring to FIG. 3, the shaped recess 35includes two pairs of opposing corners shown at 41, 42. In the positionshown in FIG. 1, the shoulders 36 of the arched frame 28 areaccommodated in the corners 41 of the shaped recess 35 (see FIG. 3).Meanwhile, the shoulders 38 of the arched frame 28 are accommodated inthe corners 42. In contrast, in the position shown in FIG. 8, theshoulders 38 are accommodated in the corners 41 of the shaped recess 35and the shoulders 36 are accommodated in the corners 42.

A shaped recess with four or more pairs of opposing corners could beprovided for additional positions of the blade 33 with respect to thehandle 11.

FIGS. 4-8 illustrate the rotation of the head 12 between thelongitudinal position (FIG. 4) and a transverse position (FIG. 8). Asshown in FIG. 5, the button 21 may also include an upwardly protrudingrib 45 to facilitate the positioning of the head 12 between the positionshown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 8.

As noted in FIGS. 9-10, the shaped recess 35 may be disposed in the head12 and the shoulder or shoulders 36 may be disposed in the underside ofthe handle 11 or connecting element 15. Instead of utilizing theconnecting element 15, a unitary construction for the handle 11 may bealso be utilized. Further, in addition to the shoulder 36/recess 35construction illustrated, other ball and detent, pawl and recess, springbias pin, ratchet or other biased stop mechanism may be used to lock thehead 12 in place with respect to the handle 11 in one or more differentpositions. Thus, instead of using a spring 22 to move the detents orshoulders 36 towards the recess 35 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 or a spring22 to move a recess 35 towards the shoulders 36 as shown in FIGS. 9 and10, a spring or other biasing element could be used to move the detentmember 36 only. These and other alternatives will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

While certain embodiments have been disclosed and described,alternatives will be apparent to those skilled in the art and thepresent application and forthcoming patent is intended to cover all suchequivalents that fall within the scope of the allowed claims.

1. A peeler comprising: a handle pivotally connected to a head, the headcomprising at least one peeling or scrapping blade, the peeler furthercomprising lock mechanism to releasably secure the head in one of atleast two positions with respect to the handle, the head being movablebetween the at least two positions by releasing the lock mechanism androtating the head.
 2. The peeler of claim 1 wherein the lock mechanismcomprises at least one detent, at least two recesses for receiving theat least one detent when the head is in one of the at least twopositions and a spring for releasably biasing the at least one detent inthe recesses.
 3. The peeler of claim 2 wherein the detent is disposed onthe head and the recesses are disposed in the handle.
 4. The peeler ofclaim 2 wherein the detent is disposed on the handle and the recessesare disposed in the head.
 5. The peeler of claim 1 wherein the lockmechanism comprises an opening extending through a distal end of thehandle, the opening having an upper end and a lower end, the upper endof the opening receiving a button, the lower end of the openingreceiving a fastener that connects the head to the button, the lower endof the opening extending through a shaped recess formed in the handle,the head further comprising a shoulder mateably received in the shapedrecess, wherein downward pressure on the button releases the shoulderfrom the shaped recess thereby enabling rotation of the head from one ofthe positions to another of the positions where the shoulder is againreceived in the recess to releasably lock the head in one of thepositions.
 6. The peeler of claim 5 wherein the button is biased towardsthe upper end of the opening so the shoulder of the head is biasedtowards the shaped recess.
 7. The peeler of claim 5 wherein the buttoncomprises a lower end comprising a cylindrical shaft that is connectedto the fastener, the shaft extending through a spring that is trappedbetween an underside of the button and the handle for biasing theshoulder of the head towards the shaped recess.
 8. The peeler of claim 1wherein the head comprises an arched frame with opposing ends and theblade being connected to and extending between the opposing ends.
 9. Thepeeler of claim 7 wherein the cylindrical shaft comprises an axialthreaded opening and the fastener is a threaded fastener that isthreadably received in the threaded opening.
 10. The peeler of claim 1wherein the handle is connected to a connecting element that isconnected to the head, the connecting element comprising a top surfacehaving an upper recess therein for receiving a button and an undersidethat faces the head, the head comprising frame that is connected to theblade, either the frame of the head or the underside of the connectingelement comprising a shaped recess and the other of the frame or theunderside of the connecting element comprising a shoulder for beingmateably received in the shaped recess, wherein downward pressure on thebutton releases the shoulders from the shaped recess thereby enablingrotation of the head from one of the positions to another of thepositions.
 11. The peeler of claim 1 wherein the lock mechanismcomprises an opening extending through a distal end of the handle, theopening having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of theopening receiving a button, the lower end of the opening receiving afastener that connects the head to the button, the distal end of thehandle further comprising at least two recesses, the head furthercomprising a shoulder mateably received in the one of the recesses whenthe head is in a first position and another of the recesses when thehead is in a second position, wherein downward pressure on the buttonreleases the shoulder from the shaped recess thereby enabling rotationof the head from the first to the second position.
 12. The peeler ofclaim 11 wherein the button is biased towards the upper end of theopening so the shoulder of the head is biased towards the recesses. 13.The peeler of claim 11 wherein the button comprises a lower endcomprising a cylindrical shaft that is connected to the fastener, theshaft extending through a spring that is trapped between an underside ofthe button and the handle for biasing the shoulder of the head into oneof the recesses.
 14. The peeler of claim 13 wherein the cylindricalshaft comprises an axial threaded opening and the fastener is a threadedfastener that is threadably received in the threaded opening.
 15. Thepeeler of claim 1 wherein the handle is connected to a connectingelement that is connected to the head, the connecting element comprisinga top surface having an upper recess therein for receiving a button andan underside having a through opening therein extending into the upperrecess, the underside of the connecting element comprising an archedsurface, and a shaped recess disposed in the arched surface, the shapedrecess comprising two pairs of opposing corners, the head comprisingarched frame with two ends that are connected to the blade with theblade extending therebetween, the arched frame of the head and archedsurface of the connecting element being in abutting engagement with eachother, the head comprising two pairs of shoulders that are mateablyreceived in the shaped recess of the connecting element, whereindownward pressure on the button releases the shoulders from the shapedrecess thereby enabling rotation of the head from one of the positionsto another of the positions.
 16. A peeler or scraper comprising: ahandle pivotally connected to the head, the head comprising at least onepeeling blade, the peeler further comprising spring biased lockmechanism to releasably secure the head in one of at least two positionswith respect to the handle, the head being movable between the at leasttwo positions by releasing the overcoming the bias of the lock mechanismand rotating the head from a position parallel with the handle to aposition perpendicular to the handle.
 17. The peeler or scraper of claim16 wherein the lock mechanism comprises a detent, at least two recessesfor receiving the detent in one of the at least two positions and aspring for releasably biasing the detent in the recess.
 18. The peeleror scraper of claim 17 wherein the detent is disposed on the head andthe recess is disposed in the handle.
 19. The peeler or scraper of claim17 wherein the detent is disposed on the handle and the recess isdisposed in the head.
 20. The peeler or scraper of claim 16 wherein thelock mechanism comprises an opening extending through a distal end ofthe handle, the opening having an upper end and a lower end, the upperend of the opening receiving a button, the lower end of the openingreceiving a fastener that connects the head to the button, the lower endof the opening extending through a shaped recess formed in the handle,the head further comprising a shoulder mateably received in the shapedrecess, wherein downward pressure on the button releases the shoulderfrom the shaped recess thereby enabling rotation of the head from one ofthe positions to another of the positions where the shoulder is againreceived in the recess to releasably lock the head in the other of thepositions.
 21. The peeler or scraper of claim 20 wherein the buttoncomprises a lower end comprising a cylindrical shaft that is connectedto the fastener, the shaft extending through a spring that is trappedbetween an underside of the button and the handle for biasing theshoulder of the head into the shaped recess.
 22. The peeler or scraperof claim 21 wherein the head comprises an arched frame with opposingends and the blade being connected to and extending between the opposingends, the underside of the handle also being arched for abuttinglyengaging the arched frame of the head.
 23. The peeler or scraper ofclaim 22 wherein the cylindrical shaft comprises an axial threadedopening and the fastener is a threaded fastener that is threadablyreceived in the threaded opening.
 24. The peeler or scraper of claim 23wherein the button is biased towards the upper end of the opening so theshoulder of the head is biased towards the recesses.
 25. The peeler orscraper of claim 16 wherein the lock mechanism comprises an openingextending through a distal end of the handle, the opening having anupper end and a lower end, the upper end of the opening receiving abutton, the lower end of the opening receiving a fastener that connectsthe head to the button, the distal end of the handle further comprisingan underside with at least one shoulder formed thereon, the head furthercomprising a shaped recess for mateably receiving the shoulder of thehandle, wherein downward pressure on the button releases the shoulderfrom the shaped recess thereby enabling rotation of the head from one ofthe positions to another of the positions where the shoulder is againreceived in the recess to releasably lock the head in the other of thepositions.
 26. The peeler or scraper of claim 25 wherein the buttoncomprises a lower end comprising a cylindrical shaft that is connectedto the fastener, the shaft extending through a spring that is trappedbetween an underside of the button and the handle for biasing theshoulder of the head into the shaped recess.
 27. The peeler or scraperof claim 26 wherein the head comprises an arched frame with opposingends and the blade being connected to and extending between the opposingends, the underside of the handle also being arched for abuttinglyengaging the arched frame of the head.
 28. The peeler or scraper ofclaim 27 wherein the cylindrical shaft comprises an axial threadedopening and the fastener is a threaded fastener that is threadablyreceived in the threaded opening.
 29. The peeler or scraper of claim 28wherein the button is biased towards the upper end of the opening so theshoulder of the head is biased towards the recesses.
 30. A paint scrapercomprising: a handle pivotally connected to the head, the headcomprising at least one peeling blade, the scraper further comprisinglock mechanism to releasably secure the head in one of at least twopositions with respect to the handle, the head being movable between theat least two positions by releasing the lock mechanism and rotating thehead.